Candidal vertebral osteomyelitis: report of 6 patients, and a review

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Feb 15;32(4):527-33. doi: 10.1086/318714. Epub 2001 Feb 6.

Abstract

The incidence of deep-seated candidal infection is increasing, but candidal vertebral osteomyelitis is still rare. We describe 6 patients recently treated in our hospital. Conservative treatment failed in all. We reviewed the literature and identified 59 additional cases of candidal vertebral osteomyelitis. Candidemia was documented in 61.5% of them. The interval between the diagnosis of candidemia and the onset of symptoms of vertebral osteomyelitis varied widely, from days to >1 year. In patients without documented candidemia, there was a similar interval between the occurrence of risk factors for candidemia (present in 72% of the patients) and the onset of symptoms of vertebral osteomyelitis. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings are not specific for candidal spondylodiskitis. Final diagnosis is determined by means of culture of a biopsy specimen from the infected vertebra or disk. Treatment consisted of prolonged antifungal treatment, and it often included surgery. On the basis of our experience (for all 6 patients, initial conservative treatment with only antifungals failed), we recommend consideration of early surgical debridement in combination with prolonged antifungal therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Candidiasis / complications*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology*
  • Spondylitis / microbiology*